Saturday, July 30, 2016

NATURAL ASPIRIN...willow bark

Did You Know?
For over 2,000 years, willow bark has been used in Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.


Willow bark comes from the branches of two- to three-year-old  black or white willow trees.

The main chemical that gives willow bark its therapeutic effects is salicin. When the body processes salicin, it turns it into salicylic acid, which then to aspirin. It is a popular natural pain reliever and fever reducer.

Willow bark can help treat lower back pain and possibly osteoarthritis (OA) pain. 

Why take willow bark instead of aspirin????

Aspirin can cause stomach irritation or damage, while willow bark taken in normal amounts does not. 

Willow bark contains tannins and flavonoids, which have  health benefits.
Tannins are chemicals found in  plant-based foods. They stop the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and also improve blood clotting, boost heart health , and lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Flavonoids  made by plants that give them their red, orange, and yellow colors. They also work as antioxidants, helping cells to repair and protect themselves from damage.
Willow bark also helps...

ALLEVIATES ACNE

REDUCES HEADACHES

SOOTHES MENSTRUAL CRAMPS



How to harvest willow bark for medicine


Strip the bark from the young branches of willow in the Spring just before the sap begins to run, when the branches are spring colored.  This is the easiest time to separate the bark from the branch.  You  start at the base of the cut edge and peel it upwards toward the tip. The bark will peel off in strips.  You can recognize the correct willows by their brightly colored bark — usually yellow, orange, or red.  Weeping willow trees and corkscrew willow are both varieties that can be used.
For tea
Allow to  willow strips to  fully dry at room temperature  before placing in a jar and storing in a cool, dry place.

To make a tincture
Fill a glass jar with fresh  strips  willow bark, from new growth.  Pack down  so  the jar is full of willow bark.  Cover the  bark with vodka and cover.  Place in a warm spot and shake once a day .   After a month, strain the liquid and put in a colored glass bottle, to protect the herb.  Cover tightly and store in a cool, dark place. away from sunlight.

Dosage....
1 tsp. of willow bark tincture three times daily,
Three to four cups of tea made by simmering 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried bark in 8 ounces of boiling water for 15 minutes. 
CAUTION: Consult your doctor about the correct dose of white willow bark or aspirin.If you are allergic to aspirin use extreme caution and consult your doctor before trying willow bark as an herbal remedy.Willow causes blood thinning so don’t use it before surgery or before giving birth. 

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Tipsy Chicken {beer can chicken but better}











 Video




Preheat  grill for medium-high heat, about 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place the full can of wine in any empty can  in the center of a plate.

Rinse chicken under cold running water. Discard giblets and neck from chicken; drain and pat dry. Fit whole chicken over the can of wine with the legs on the bottom; keep upright. Sprinkle seasoning all over top , sides and cavity of the chicken. 

Place the chicken, standing on the can, then on a pie plate , casserole dish or dutch oven. I like a high sided pan, so she doesn't fall over drunk...lol. Then place on  the preheated grill. Close the lid and barbecue the chicken until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour 15 minutes. An  thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the chicken from the grill and discard the  can. Cover the chicken with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.


I hope hubby has a sense of humor tonight for dinner...she was dancing on the hot coals sippin' wine...






Monday, July 4, 2016

Recycled Vintage Flower Cart into baby changing station

Oh dear...where do I start...


Well I bought hubby a new recliner...ya that didn't go as expected, he does not like change, so he insist I not get rid of his old one...yet...

Here lies the problem....
I have no room for 2 recliners in my tiny living room,.so what could I get rid of ?

...well, I thought ....


The kids do not use their pack and play anymore, however I use it all day for the changing pad it has attached to the top...I love it for that reason.....

I knew it had to go or I would have a recliner in the middle of my floor....

I searched everywhere looking for something to repurpose that would be "cute" for changing the 2 babies.

I found this flower cart I had for years out in the back yard.
And where there is a will....
There is a way....
This is what I came up with...
I took the changing portion from the pack and play and attached it to the top of the cart...

There is room on the side for my plastc bag holder, and wipes, as well as a few diapers needed for that day, the rest are in a bin underneath, along with 4 big 12 inch square bins for the kids extra clothes....WOO HOO....I get excited over convenient storage!
The organizer that hooked to the side of the pack and play luckily hooked perfectly under the handle of the cart, almost like it was made for it. I am thrilled with how it turned out...
Almost makes me excited to change diapers....
.......almost......




The bins underneath are concealed by a couple vintage aprons I had...they are just tied to the side for easy removal if necessary..





HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!





















Here is your Homefaker tip for the day....

If you ever need to color your cake batter but are out of food color...you can use Kool~Aid packets. I was totally out of blue, and used blue raspberry off brand Flavor~aid to color this cake.Bonus was it had a wonderful surprise flavor swirled in!


      HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!! 


Saturday, July 2, 2016

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!



THANK~YOU to all who serve or have served this great country near or far wherever you are !!!!

We appreciate everything you do!!







Car Seat Re~Do / Makeover




O.K 
So here is the dealeo....I found this incredibly expensive car seat on Craigslist VERY CHEAP....

It was never used because they got 2 at their shower and decided to keep the other one, and did not have a receipt for this one...

Yep...my gain...however this color was not going to work for my little Princess...


ya. you know how I roll...TOTAL REDO!!!
Sorry, no tutorial, as I used fabric from my craft room, and just held it up, cut, then tailored....


I love how this turned out....would I do it again? No...it was a lot of fricking work!

Here it is as I got it....
 The process...taking it all apart and making a make shift pattern....
 Before and After...Yipeeeee
 My fabric choices....
 This is where it gets tricky....
 A little Princess crown...aka Christmas ornament....lol
 Seat....
 All repainted with auto enamel...the clearcoated GLITTER!!!
Almost done....

 DONE!!!!....
Blinged out bottle holder.....
 Ya.....I can't leave nuthin alone....
 I would say she likes it....wouldn't you?
 Awwwwwwwww.......

 Crazy kid....


 And all is well in Princess land....

 Hard to believe this is the same seat????
 I love the sparkly headrest!..it was also stretchy fabric which made it easier to fit...
 Installed in the car next to her brother....